Tree system diagram output method, computer program and recording medium

ABSTRACT

A tree system diagram output method of correlating a plurality of objects and outputting the plurality of objects as a tree system diagram includes the steps of: (a) storing, in a first storing part, an identifier specific to each of the plurality of objects written on a first worksheet; (b) selecting at least one object among the plurality of objects written on the first worksheet; (c) pasting the object selected in the step (b) to a second worksheet; and (d) changing the identifier of the object to be pasted in the step (c) to a second identifier.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/238,884 filed Sep. 11,2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,058,653.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method and a program forrepresenting the correlation of a plurality of correlated objects by atree system diagram on a computer.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a development process, a design process and the like of a product, amethod is known that represents the correlation of a technical problemto be solved in developing or designing the product and a solution ofthe problem by a tree system diagram. Items that a developer and adesigner must cope with are organized by using the tree system diagramso as to make the development process and the design process moreefficient.

Conventionally, the developer and designer have been using spreadsheetsoftware or documentation software to create the tree system diagram.

However, there is a problem in that it takes time to create the treesystem diagram by using the spreadsheet software or documentationsoftware on a word-processing function basis. In addition, it isdifficult to update the created tree system diagram when an update suchas a modification or an addition is required. Further, when working on anew development process and design process, it is difficult to reuse thetree system diagram created earlier when trying to create a tree systemdiagram for a new development process or a new design process.

Additionally, in the tree system diagram, in order to check a specificobject and a plurality of correlated objects, it is necessary to followthe specific object and the correlated objects in the entire tree systemdiagram that is created. Thus, in checking the specific item and thecorrelated items, especially when the created tree system diagram islarge, there is a problem in that not only is a long time required butalso omissions tend to occur in the checking.

Further, with respect to each of the objects in the tree system diagram,the information that is not displayed on the tree system diagram isreferred to separately. Therefore, there is a problem in that theinformation that is not displayed on the tree system diagram cannot beeffectively referred to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improvedand useful tree system diagram output method and tree system diagramoutput program in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.

It is another and more specific object of the present invention toprovide a tree system diagram output method and a tree system diagramoutput program that can output a tree system diagram by reusing a treesystem diagram created earlier.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to one aspectof the present invention, there is provided a tree system diagram outputmethod of correlating a plurality of objects and outputting theplurality of objects as a tree system diagram, including the steps of:(a) storing, in a first storing part, an identifier specific to each ofthe plurality of objects which objects are written on a first worksheet;(b) selecting at least one object among the plurality of objects writtenon the first worksheet; (c) pasting the object selected in the step (b)to a second worksheet; and (d) changing the identifier of the object tobe pasted in the step (c) to a second identifier from the identifierstored in the step (a).

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, it ispossible to paste the plurality of objects written on the firstworksheet to the second worksheet, and to change the identifier of eachof the objects to be pasted to the second identifier.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention, inthe tree system diagram output method, the step (d) may include thesteps of: (e) storing, in a second storing part, the identifier given tothe object on the second worksheet before the object is pasted in thestep (c); and (f) giving an identifier other than the identifier storedin the second storing part to the object pasted in the step (c).

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theobject pasted on the second worksheet may have a different identifierfrom that of the object selected from the first worksheet.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention, inthe tree system diagram output method, the step (f) may include thesteps of: (g) counting the number of the objects pasted to the secondworksheet; (h) counting the number of the identifiers stored in thesecond storing part; and (i) giving an identifier obtained byincrementing the identifier stored in the second storing part, when thenumber counted in the step (g) agrees with the number counted in thestep (h).

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, whenthe number of the objects pasted on the second worksheet agrees with thenumber of the identifiers stored in the second storing part, theidentifier is given to the object by incrementing the identifier storedin the second storing part. Thus, it is possible to give serial numbersto the identifiers of the objects pasted on the second worksheet.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention,there is provided a computer program for correlating a plurality ofobjects and outputting the plurality of objects as a tree systemdiagram, the computer program including the instructions of: (a) causinga computer to store an identifier specific to each of the plurality ofobjects which objects are written on a first worksheet; (b) causing thecomputer to select at least one object among the plurality of objectswritten on the first worksheet; (c) causing the computer to paste the atleast one object to a second worksheet; and (d) causing the computer tochange the identifier of the object to be pasted to a identifier fromthe stored identifier.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, it ispossible to paste the plurality of objects written on the firstworksheet to the second worksheet, and to change the identifier of eachof the objects to be pasted to the second identifier.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention, inthe above-mentioned computer program, the instruction (d) may includethe instructions of: (e) causing the computer to store the identifiergiven to the object on the second worksheet before the object is pasted;and (f) causing the computer to give an identifier other than the storedidentifier to the object to be pasted.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theobject pasted on the second worksheet may have a different identifierfrom that of the object selected from the first worksheet.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention, inthe above-mentioned computer program, the instruction (f) may includethe instructions of: (g) causing the computer to count the number of theobjects pasted to the second worksheet; (h) causing the computer tocount the number of the stored identifiers; and (i) causing the computerto give an identifier obtained by incrementing the stored identifier,when the counted number of the objects agrees with the counted number ofthe stored identifiers.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, whenthe number of the objects pasted on the second worksheet agrees with thenumber of the identifiers stored in the second storing part, theidentifier is given to the object by incrementing the identifier storedin the second storing part. Thus, it is possible to give serial numbersto the identifiers of the objects pasted on the second worksheet.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer-readable recording medium that stores the computerprogram as described above.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a treesystem diagram output method and a tree system diagram output programthat can output a tree system diagram in which a specific item and itemscorrelated with the specific item can be easily checked.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to anotheraspect of the present invention, there is provided a tree system diagramoutput method of correlating a plurality of objects and outputting theplurality of objects as a tree system diagram, including the steps of:(a) storing, in a first storing part, an identifier specific to each ofthe plurality of objects; (b) storing, in a second storing part,attribute information of each of the plurality of objects as a pluralityof respective character information sets, by correlating the attributeinformation with the identifier given to and specific to each of theplurality of objects; (c) selecting, from the character information setsstored in the second storing part, the character information set thatagrees with character information input from a part of inputting thecharacter information; (d) extracting an identifier of one objectincluding the character information set selected in step (c); and (e)outputting the one object given with the identifier extracted in thestep (d).

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theattribute information of the object is stored in the second storing partas the character information set, and the character information set thatagrees with the input character information is selected from thecharacter information sets stored in the second storing part.Thereafter, the identifier of the object including the selectedcharacter information set is extracted and the object given with theidentifier is output. Hence, it is possible to search the attributeinformation of the object by the input character information and outputthe object as the search result.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-described tree system diagram output method may further include:(f) storing, in a third storing part, correlation between an identifiergiven to one of the plurality of objects and an identifier given to atleast another one of the plurality of objects; (g) selecting anidentifier correlated with the identifier given to the one object andextracted in the step (d) according to the correlation stored in thethird storing part; and (h) outputting a tree system diagram in whichthe one object given with the identifier extracted in the step (d) iscorrelated with the object given with the identifier selected in thestep (g).

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theidentifier given to one object and the identifier given to anotherobject are correlated and stored. Then, according to the correlation, anoutput is made for the tree system diagram in which the object extractedbased on the input character information is correlated with the objectgiven with the identifier that is correlated with the identifier of theextracted object. Thus, by inputting the character information, it ispossible to output the tree system diagram that represents the objecthaving the attribute information including the input characterinformation and the correlated object.

Also, according to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer program for correlating a plurality of objects andoutputting the plurality of objects as a tree system diagram, thecomputer program including the instructions of: (a) causing the computerto store an identifier specific to each of the plurality of objects; (b)causing the computer to store attribute information of each of theplurality of objects as a plurality of respective character informationsets, by correlating the attribute information with the identifier givento and specific to each of the plurality of objects; (c) causing thecomputer to select, from the stored character information sets, thecharacter information set that agrees with character information inputfrom a part of inputting the character information; (d) causing thecomputer to extract an identifier of one object including the selectedcharacter information set; and (e) causing the computer to output theone object given with the extracted identifier.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theattribute information of the object is stored in the second storing partas the character information set, and the character information set thatagrees with the input character information is selected from thecharacter information sets stored in the second storing part.Thereafter, the identifier of the object including the selectedcharacter information set is extracted and the object given with theidentifier is output. Hence, it is possible to search the attributeinformation of the object by the input character information and outputthe object as the search result.

Moreover, according to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-described computer program may further include the instructionsof: (f) causing the computer to store correlation between an identifiergiven to one of the plurality of objects and an identifier given to atleast another one of the plurality of objects; (g) causing the computerto select an identifier correlated with the identifier given to theextracted one object according to the stored correlation; and (h)causing the computer to output a tree system diagram in which the oneobject given with the extracted identifier is correlated with the objectgiven with the selected identifier.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theidentifier given to one object and the identifier given to anotherobject are correlated and stored. Then, according to the correlation, anoutput is made for the tree system diagram in which the object extractedbased on the input character information is correlated with the objectgiven with the identifier that is correlated with the identifier of theextracted object. Thus, by inputting the character information, it ispossible to output the tree system diagram that represents the objecthaving the attribute information including the input characterinformation and the correlated object.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer-readable recording medium that stores the computerprogram as mentioned above.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a treesystem diagram output method and a tree system diagram output programthat can effectively refer to external information.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects of the presentinvention, according to another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a tree system diagram output method of correlating aplurality of objects and outputting the plurality of objects as a treesystem diagram, including the steps of: (a) storing, in a first storingpart, an identifier specific to each of the plurality of objects; (b)setting a link between information stored in an external database andthe identifier; and (c) storing, in a second storing part, the linkbetween the information stored in the external database and theidentifier, the link being set in the step (b).

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theidentifier specific to each of the objects is linked to the informationstored in the external database. Thus, it is possible to correlate eachof the objects with the information stored in the external database.

Also, according to another aspect of the present invention, the treesystem diagram output method may further include the step of: (d)reading the information stored in the external database, the informationbeing linked to the identifier of one selected object among theplurality of objects.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theinformation that is stored in the external database and is linked to theidentifier of the selected object is read. Therefore, it is possible toread the information that is stored in the external database and thatcorresponds to the selected object.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention, inthe tree system diagram output method, the external database may beconnected to the computer via a network.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, it ispossible to read the information that is stored in the external databaseand that corresponds to each of the objects via the network.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in thetree system diagram output method, the external database may also beconnected to the computer via the Internet.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, it ispossible to read the information that is stored in the external databaseand that corresponds to each of the objects via the Internet.

Moreover, according to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer program for correlating a plurality of objects andoutputting the plurality of objects as a tree system diagram, includingthe instructions of: (a) causing a computer to store an identifierspecific to each of the plurality of objects; (b) causing the computerto set a link between information stored in an external database and theidentifier; and (c) causing the computer to store the set link betweenthe information stored in the external database and the identifier.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theidentifier specific to each of the objects is linked to the informationstored in the external database. Thus, it is possible to correlate eachof the objects with the information stored in the external database.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, thecomputer program may further include the instruction of: (d) causing thecomputer to read the information stored in the external database, theinformation being linked to the identifier of one selected object amongthe plurality of objects.

According to the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, theinformation that is stored in the external database and is linked to theidentifier of the selected object is read. Therefore, it is possible toread the information that is stored in the external database and thatcorresponds to the selected object.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer-readable recording medium that stores theabove-described computer program.

According to the present invention, it is possible to output the treesystem diagram that can reuse the tree system diagram created earlier.

Also, according to the present invention, it is possible to output thetree system diagram with which the confirmation of a specific item(object) and an item correlated with the specific item can be easilyperformed.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible tooutput the tree system diagram with which the external information canbe effectively referred.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a computer system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a tree system diagram ofproblem-achieving means;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of data recorded to an object storingpart;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a property input window;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of data recorded to a used ID storingpart;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure of a registrationprocess;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure of an ID allocationprocess;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure of a process ofcorrelating objects;

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a copy/paste processaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 9B is another explanatory diagram for explaining the copy/pasteprocess;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure of the copy/pasteprocess;

FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a cut/paste processaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11B is another explanatory diagram for explaining the cut/pasteprocess;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure of the cut/pasteprocess;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the tree system diagram forexplaining an extraction process of a part of objects according to asecond embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a search window;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a partially extracted tree systemdiagram representing a search result;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a table used in searching;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure of the extractionprocess of a part of the objects;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure of a link settingprocess according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 19 is another flow chart for explaining the procedure of the linksetting process;

FIG. 20 is still another flow chart for explaining the procedure of thelink setting process; and

FIG. 21 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure of access toexternal information according to the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, a description will be given of preferred embodimentsthat put the present invention into effect. In the embodiments, aproblem and a corresponding solution are represented by using a treesystem diagram.

First, a description will be given of the system configuration of acomputer system embodying the present invention, with reference to FIG.1.

A computer system 20 includes a processor 22, a main memory 23, a ROM(read only memory) 24, an external storage device 25 and a communicationinterface 29 that are mutually connected via a bus 21. In addition, thebus 21 of the computer system 20 is connected to a display 26, akeyboard 27 and a cursor control 28. Further, the communicationinterface 29 is connected to a LAN 31 via a network link 30. The LAN 31is connected to a server 32. Furthermore, the LAN 31 is connected to anIP network 33.

The processor 22 carries out a process such as execution of a commandstored in the main memory 23.

The main memory 23 is a RAM (random access memory), a dynamic storagedevice (a DRAM (dynamic RAM), for example), a SRAM (static RAM), SDRAM(synchronous DRAM), or a flash RAM. The main memory 23 storesinformation and a command executed by the processor 22. In addition, themain memory 23 is also used for storing a temporary parameter and otherintermediate information in the execution of the command carried out bythe processor 22.

The ROM 24 stores static information and the command executed by theprocessor 22. The ROM 24 may be another static storage device (forexample, PROM, (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), EEPROM(electrically erasable PROM)).

The external storage device 25 is a magnetic disk or an optical disk,and stores information or a command.

Further, the computer system 20 may include a logical device for aspecial object and a logical device that can be modified/reused. Thelogical device for the special object may be an ASIC (applicationspecific integrated circuit), for example. The logical device that canbe modified/reused may be a GAL (generic array of logic) or are-programmable FPGA (field programmable gate array), for example.

Additionally, the computer system 20 may include another portable medium(for example, a compact disk, tape, and a portable magnetic opticalmedium) (not shown), a fixed high-density medium (not shown), a compactdisk reader (not shown), a compact disk reader/writer (not shown), or acompact disk jukebox (not shown). Each of them uses an appropriate bus(for example, a SCSI (small computer system interface) bus, an extendedIDE (integrated device electronics) bus, or a DMA (ultra-direct memoryaccess) bus).

The display 26 is for displaying information to a user. The display 26is a CRT (cathode ray tube), for example. The display 26 may becontrolled by a graphics card.

The keyboard 27 is an input device for inputting a command and the like.

The cursor control 28 transmits direction information and commandselection to the processor 22. The cursor control 28 is for controllingthe movement of a cursor on the display 26. The cursor control 28 is amouse, a track ball or a cursor direction key, for example.

Further, the computer system 20 may be connected to a printer (notshown). The printer may print data stored or generated by the computersystem 20.

The computer system 20 carries out a part of or all steps of the processof the present invention, according to how the processor 22 carries outthe command stored in the main memory 23 or the external storage device25. The command stored in a medium that can be read by another computer,such as the external storage device 25, may be read by the main memory23. In addition, the command may be carried out by multiprocessing.

Additionally, in order to put the present invention into effect, anelectric circuit of hardware may be used instead of or with the command(the command of software).

As described above, the computer system 20 includes at least onecomputer-readable medium and memory. The computer-readable medium andmemory are used for carrying out the process relating to the presentinvention and storing data structures, tables, records or instructionsincluding other data as will be described below. The present inventionincludes software for controlling the computer system 20, driving one ora plurality of devices that carry out the present invention, andenabling the computer system 20 to have a dialogue with a user. Thesoftware is stored in one or a plurality of computer-readable media. Thesoftware may include a driver, an operating system, a development tool,and application software however, they are not limitations. Theabove-mentioned computer-readable storage medium further stores aprogram for carrying out a part of or all the process executed inperforming the present invention.

Computer code used in performing the present invention may be in anyprogramming language such as a script language. The computer code mayinclude a script, an interpreter, a dynamic-link library, a JAVA(registered trademark) class, and code of a programming language verysimilar to a machine language; however, they are not limitations.Further, the process of the present invention may be performed in adistributed manner.

The computer-readable medium may be any medium that provides data or aninstruction provided to the processor 22. The computer-readable mediummay be a nonvolatile medium, a volatile medium or a transfer medium;however, they are not limitations. The nonvolatile medium may be anoptical disk such as the external storage medium 25, a magnetic disk, ora magnetic optical disk. The volatile medium may be a dynamic memorysuch as the main memory 23. The transfer medium may be a coaxial cable,a copper wire, and an optical fiber including a wire constituting thebus 21. In addition, the transfer medium may be sound waves or lightwaves that are generated in electric wave or infrared light datacommunication.

The computer-readable medium may be either a storage or transmissionmedium, for examples of storage medium includes a hard disk, a floppydisk (registered trademark), a tape, a magnetic optical disk, a PROM(for example, an EPROM, and EEPROM, and a flash EPORM), a DRAM, a SRAM,a SDRAM or another magnetic medium, a compact disk

disk (for example, a CD-ROM) or other optical medium, punched cards,paper tape or another physical medium having a hole pattern, and othercomputer-readable media. Example of the transmission medium includes acarrier wave.

The computer-readable medium may be used in the execution of the commandby the processor 22. For example, at first, the command may be executedby a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer may loadthe command to a dynamic memory and transmit the command via a telephoneline using a modem so as to execute a part of or all the process of thepresent invention in a remote environment.

Additionally, the computer system 20 may include a modem (not shown) andan infrared light detector (not shown). The modem may transmit/receivedata through a telephone line, and an infrared light transfer device maybe used so as to convert the data into an infrared light signal. Theinfrared light detector is connected to the bus 21, receives datatransmitted by the infrared light signal, and outputs the data to thebus 21.

Further, the command received by the main memory 23 may be arbitrarilystored in the external storage device 25 before or after the executionby the processor 22.

The communication interface 29 provides bi-directional datacommunication via the network link 30 connected to a local network (forexample, the LAN 31). For example, the communication interface 29 may bea network interface card. In addition, the communication interface 29may be an ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line) card, an ISDN(integrated services digital network) card, or a modem providing datacommunication connection according to the kind of the communication ofthe telephone line. Furthermore, the communication interface 29 may be awireless link. In this case, the communication interface 29transmits/receives an electric signal, an electromagnetic signal or anoptical signal.

The network link 30 provides data communication for other data devicesvia the network. For example, the communication interface 29 isconnected to the data device managed by the server 32 or a serviceprovider via the network link 30 and the LAN 31. It should be noted thatthe service provider provides data communication service via the IPnetwork 33 (for example, the Internet).

Both LAN 31 and IP network 33 use an electronic signal, anelectromagnetic signal or an optical signal that transmits a digitaldata stream. A signal transmitted through various networks, a signaltransmitted through the network link 30, and a signal transmittedthrough the communication interface 29 are typically formed of carrierwaves that transmit information. The computer system 20 cantransmit/receive data to/from a communication counterpart via thenetwork 31, the network link 30, and the communication interface 29.

Groupware (for example, Notes (registered trademark of the LotusDevelopment Corporation in the USA)) is installed in the server 32. Thegroupware system is a tool to improve the productivity of an entiregroup constituted by not only an individual but also a plurality ofmembers. A system constructed by installing groupware is defined as “acomputer system designed to be used in a group constituted by aplurality of members so as to increase the productivity of the group”.

The groupware system has an address book to manage addresses of peoplein/outside a company that are authorized to use the groupware. Byselecting a desired address from the address book, it is possible tosend an e-mail to the selected address. Moreover, it is also possible tomanage a database storing various information items on the groupwaresystem. For example, it is possible to attach a link with an arbitrarydatabase when sending e-mail and to communicate various informationitems by using a database as a bulletin board.

Furthermore, the server 32 is connected to a patent information searchsystem. In the patent information search system, it is possible tosearch a desired Patent Gazette with respect to an application filed fora patent or the like by a filing date, a priority date, a gazette date(a date of release, a date of publication, a date of grant, and thelike), an applicant, an application number, a publication number, aregistration number, an international patent classification, a keyword,and the like.

Next, a description will be given of functions provided for the computersystem configured as mentioned above so as to put the present inventioninto effect.

The processor 22 controls execution of various programs, management ofdata that will be described later, transmission and reception, and thelike. In this embodiment, the processor 22 includes selecting means,changing means, giving means, a first counting means, a second countingmeans, and an increment identifier giving means. Here, the main memory23 stores a program for allocating an ID when reusing an object(hereinafter referred to as an “object ID allocation program”), a cutprocess program and the like. By executing each of the above-mentionedprograms, the processor 22 functions as each of the above-mentionedmeans. The main memory 23 further stores a property registrationprogram, an ID allocation program, a correlation program and the like.For example, the property registration program is a program thatregisters the properties of an object. The ID allocation program is aprogram that allocates an ID to an object. The association program is aprogram that correlates an upper object with a lower object. The objectID allocation program is a program that allocates an ID to a new objectto be pasted when copying and pasting a part of a tree system diagram.The cut process program is a program that moves a part of a cut treesystem diagram to another worksheet when cutting an object.

The external storage device 25 stores worksheets of spreadsheet softwarefor displaying a tree system diagram 40 as shown in FIG. 2. Theworksheet of the spreadsheet software is composed of a table includingrows and columns. Each grid (cell) of the table is specified by a rowand a column. It should be noted that, in the worksheet displaying thetree system diagram 40, the cells to which objects can be arranged areset by the columns beforehand. That is, in the worksheet shown in FIG.2, the cells included in the first column, the fourth column, theseventh column and the tenth column (the columns where an importanttechnical problem 41, achieving means 42, individual technical problems43, and achieving means 44 are respectively arranged) are set such thatobjects can be positioned to the cells. It should be noted that cellsother than the cells capable of arranging the objects thereon displayruled (connecting) lines 45 for indicating the relations among theobjects.

The processor 22 allocates, for each of the objects, an ID as anidentifier to identify the object. In the worksheet displaying the treesystem diagram 40, the cells containing the respective objects displaythe name and ID of the object. The properties can be set for each of theobjects. The properties are specified by the ID of the object. Theproperties are stored in an object storing part 35 of the externalstorage device 25.

As shown in FIG. 3, the object storing part 35 stores object information350 for each ID. The object information 350 includes an ID as anidentifier and properties including an object name, an evaluation level,an evaluation condition, an upper ID, a lower ID, a group identifier,related patent information, and link setting information. The objectstoring part 35 serves as a first storing means and a second storingmeans by storing the ID.

The object name is an identification name of an object used by a user.The evaluation level is represented by an evaluation point (from 0 to 3)with respect to the content of the object. The evaluation condition isused when the evaluation of a lower object is used as the evaluation ofthe object. The upper ID is the ID of an object that is one higher inthe hierarchy than the object and is correlated with the object. Thelower ID is the ID of an object that is one lower in the hierarchy thanthe object and is correlated with the object. The group identifierdivides lower objects of the object into groups. In this embodiment,there are groups A, B, C and D. The related patent information isinformation relating to related patents. The link setting informationindicates the location of related information stored in an externaldatabase. The object name, the evaluation level, the evaluationcondition, the upper ID, the lower ID, the group identifier, the relatedpatent information and the link setting information are input and set bythe user, in a property setting window 50 as shown in FIG. 4, by usingthe keyboard 27 or the like.

In addition, the external storing device 25 includes a used ID storingpart 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the used ID storing part 36 stores the IDhaving the largest number among used IDs, as used ID information 360.

The main memory 23 reads and stores (retains a copy of) the worksheetsstored in the external storage device 25, the object information 350,and the used ID information 360.

FIG. 2 shows the tree system diagram 40 of problem—achieving means thatis displayed on the worksheet of the spreadsheet software on the display26. The processor 22 causes the display 26 to output the worksheetdisplaying the tree system diagram 40, according to an outputinstruction of the tree system diagram 40 input from the keyboard 27,the cursor control 28 or the like.

In the tree system diagram 40 shown in FIG. 2, the objects are technicalproblems and the achieving means. In this embodiment, the tree systemdiagram 40 is output on the worksheet of the spreadsheet software, andin the tree system diagram 40, the important technical problem iscorrelated with the achieving means for solving the important technicalproblem, the achieving means are correlated with a respective individualtechnical problem(s), and the individual technical problems arecorrelated with the respective achieving means. Here, an importanttechnical problem 41 in a highest hierarchy (a first hierarchy) isdisplayed in the first column, an achieving means 42 in a lowerhierarchy (a second hierarchy) is displayed in the fourth column, anindividual technical problem 43 in a further lower hierarchy (a thirdhierarchy) is displayed in the seventh column, and an achieving means 44in a still lower hierarchy (a fourth hierarchy) is displayed in thetenth column.

Additionally, the upper objects and the lower objects correlatedtherewith are displayed by being connected by the ruled lines 45. Inother words, the object (the important technical problem 41) in thefirst hierarchy and the object (the achieving means 42) in the secondhierarchy correlated therewith are connected by the ruled line 45 thatis displayed on the cells in the second and third columns. Similarly,the object in the second hierarchy and the object (the individualtechnical problem 43) in the third hierarchy correlated therewith, andthe object in the third hierarchy and the object (the achieving means44) in the fourth hierarchy correlated therewith are connected by therespective ruled lines 45.

The object name and ID are displayed for each of the objects such as“the object name:ID”.

Here, as the important technical problem 41, the object having theobject name “problem A” and the ID “0001” is displayed. As the lowerobjects that are correlated with the object “problem A:0001” assumingthat the object is the upper object, there are displayed the achievingmeans 42 (“achieving means A-1:0002”, “achieving means A-2:0003”, and“achieving means A-3:0007”). That is, “0002”, “0003” and “0007” are setfor the lower ID of the object information 350 relating to the objecthaving the ID “0001”. In addition, “0001” is set for the upper ID of theobject information 350 relating to the object having the ID “0002”,“0003” or “0007”. Similarly, the individual technical problems 43(“problem B:0004” and “problem C:0005”) are displayed as the lowerobjects correlated with the object “achieving means A-1:0002” of theachieving means 42, assuming that the object is the upper object.Further, the achieving means 44 (“achieving means B-1:0012” and“achieving means B-2:0013”) are displayed as the lower objectscorrelated with the object “problem B:0004” of the individual technicalproblem 43, assuming that the object is the upper object. In thismanner, the correlation of the technical problems—achieving means isrepresented by the tree system diagram 40 in which the technicalproblems and the achieving means are alternately shown.

Further, a closing line of the cell displaying each of the objects isdisplayed with a different color for each of the group identifiers. Thatis, each of the groups “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” uses a different color fordisplaying the closing line. Additionally, the evaluation condition isshown by the color of the ruled line 45 on the left side of the celldisplaying each of the objects. In other words, for example, when “A” isset as the evaluation condition of an object x, among the lower objectsassuming the object x as the upper object, with respect to an object ybelonging to the group “A”, the ruled line 45 on the left side of thecell displaying the object y is displayed in red color.

The properties of each of the objects (the important technical problem41, the achieving means 42, the individual technical problem 43, and theachieving means 44) are set by using the property setting window 50shown in FIG. 4. The property setting window 50 is displayed when anobject is selected on the worksheet 25, displaying the tree systemdiagram 40, and an edit button 47 included in an operation panel 46 (seeFIG. 2) is clicked.

As shown in FIG. 4, the property setting window 50 includes a currentitem setting part 51, a registration item setting part 52, a relateditem setting part 53, a related patent setting part 54, and a link filesetting part 55. Further, a registration deletion check button 56, anupdate button 57 and a cancel button 58 are provided at the bottom ofthe property setting window 50.

The current item setting part 51 is for displaying and inputting of anobject that is set to a cell selected by the cursor control 28 in theworksheet displaying the tree system diagram 40. The current itemsetting part 51 includes an item name input box 60, an ID display part61, an evaluation point input box 62, an evaluation point input button63, an evaluation condition input box 64, and an evaluation clear button65. It is possible to input the evaluation point 0 to 3 (0: notevaluated, 1: major problem, 2: problem, 3: no problem) to theevaluation point input box 62. The evaluation point is manually input tothe evaluation point input box 62. Besides, when the lower ID exists andthe evaluation condition is set as described later, the evaluation pointis automatically displayed by reflecting the evaluation point of thelower ID. Here, the evaluation point input button 63 is clicked when theevaluation point is manually input to the evaluation point input box 62.The evaluation clear button 65 is clicked when clearing a value set tothe evaluation point input box 62. When the lower ID exists, theevaluation clear button 65 becomes unusable and clearing the evaluationpoint is prohibited. Further, an allocated temporary ID or an IDregistered as an original ID is displayed in the ID display part 61.

The registration item setting part 52 includes a drop-down list 66, aselect button 67, and a reacquire button 68. The registration itemsetting part 52 is used for displaying and selecting the objects thatare previously registered, in the worksheet displaying the tree systemdiagram 40. Items to be displayed are registered beforehand, and theregistered items are displayed in the drop-down list 66. In thedrop-down list 66, when an item is selected and the select button 67 isclicked, the selected item is displayed in the item name input box 60.In addition, the reacquire button 68 is clicked when reading theregistered items displayed in the drop-down list 66 again.

The related item setting part 53 includes an upper ID input box 69, agrouping setting part and an evaluation condition setting part. When theobject of the current item is the lower object, the ID of an object thatis the upper object with respect to the lower object is automaticallyinput to the upper ID input box. It should be noted that only one ID canbe input to the upper ID input box 69. In addition, when the object ofthe current item is the object (the important technical problem 41) inthe highest hierarchy, the upper ID cannot be set.

The grouping setting part includes a lower ID input part 70, groupsymbol selection buttons 71 a, a group release button 71 b and an itemname display part 72. When the object of the current item is the upperobject, the ID of an object that is the lower object with respect to theupper object is automatically input to the lower ID input part 70. Aplurality of Ids can be input to the lower ID input part 70. When an IDis selected in the lower ID input part 70, the item name display part 72displays the object name of the selected lower ID. Thereafter, when thegroup symbol selection button 71 a is clicked, the ID is set to a groupID input part 76 (that will be described later) of the correspondinggroup. Further, when an ID is selected in the lower ID input part 70 andthe group release button 71 b is clicked, the group setting is releasedwith respect to the ID.

The evaluation condition setting part includes an automatic selectionbutton 73, group selection radio buttons 74, evaluation point inputboxes 75, and the group ID input part 76. The evaluation point inputboxes 75 display the minimum values among evaluation points of theobjects constituting the groups. Here, when the automatic selectionbutton 73 is clicked, the group selection radio button 74 of the grouphaving the minimum value among the evaluation points in the evaluationpoint input boxes 75 of the respective groups. The group selection radiobutton 74 is checked when manually selecting the group as the evaluationcondition. That is, when any one of the group selection radio buttons 74is checked, the evaluation condition input box 64 displays the selectedgroup (one of A, B, C and D).

The related patent setting part 54 includes a management level displaypart 80, a gazette number display part 81, an applicant display part 82,a patent ID selection part 83, a title of invention display part 84, apatent type display part 85, an abstract display part 86, a patentinformation search system start button 87, a link cancellation button88, a list selection part 89, and a link setting button 90. The relatedpatent setting part 54 is used when managing the related patentinformation in conjunction with a patent information search system. Thepatent information search system start button 87 is clicked whenstarting the patent information search system. The patent ID selectionpart 83 displays a patent ID that is linked to the object of the currentitem. When the patent ID is selected in the patent ID selection part 83,the management level display part 80, the gazette number display part81, the applicant display part 82, the title of invention display part84, the patent type display part 85, and the abstract display part 86display the management level, the gazette number, the applicant, thetitle of the invention, the patent type and the abstract of the patentinformation, respectively. In addition, the link cancellation button 88is clicked when deleting the link. On the other hand, the list selectionpart 89 displays a list of the patent information set in the patentinformation search system. When selecting the patent information in thelist selection part 89 and clicking the link setting button 90, a linkis set between the object of the current item and the selected patentinformation. Then, the patent ID of the patent information is displayedin the patent ID selection part 83.

The link file setting part 55 includes a link file display part 91, alink setting button 92, a link cancellation button 93 and a link fileactivation button 94. The link file setting part 55 is used whenmanaging a link file. The link file display part 91 displays a file thatis linked to the object of the current item. When the file is selectedin the link file display part 91 and the link file activation button 94is clicked, the selected file is read and displayed. The link set button92 is used when linking the object of the current item to a relatedfile. The link cancellation button 93 is used when canceling the link ofthe file selected in the link file display part 91.

Next, a description will be given of the procedure of the systemconfigured as mentioned above.

First, a description will be given of the procedure of registering eachobject, by referring to FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6, first, in step S1-1, an instruction of reading the propertysetting window 50 is given. That is, first, the worksheet that displaysthe tree system diagram 40 is displayed on the display 26, the cell onthe worksheet is selected by the cursor control 28, and the edit button47 on the operation panel 46 is clicked. In response to this, in stepS1-2, the processor 22 determines whether or not the cursor is on apredetermined location (cell). The predetermined location refers to thecell where the object can be set. That is, the cell that is in a rowwhere the object can be arranged and where another object is not set.Then, when the cursor is not on the cell to which the object can be set(NO in step S1-2), the processor 22 ends processing. On the other hand,when the cursor is on the cell to which the object can be set (YES instep S1-2), in step S1-3, the processor 22 reads information fordisplaying the property setting window 50 from the main memory 23, andcauses the main memory 23 to display the property setting window 50shown in FIG. 4 on the display 26.

Next, in step S1-4, the processor 22 carries out a temporary IDallocation process for allocating a temporary ID to the target object.It should be noted that the processor 22 carries out the temporary IDallocation process according to the ID allocation program. FIG. 7 showsa procedure of the temporary ID allocation process. In the temporary IDallocation process, when sequence numbers are given to the IDs and thereare no free IDs, the number that is the next higher than the maximumnumber used already is allocated to a temporary ID. On the other hand,when there are free IDs (when objects are deleted and the IDs given tothe deleted objects are the free IDs), among the free IDs, the ID havingthe smallest number is allocated as a temporary ID.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step S2-1, the processor 22 counts the number (n)of the objects that are already stored in the object storing part 35 andto which IDs are allocated. In addition, the processor 22 reads the usedID information 360 from the used ID storing part 36 of the externalstorage device 25, and causes the main memory 23 to store the number (m)of the used IDs. Then, in step S2-2, the processor 22 determines whetheror not the number of the counted objects agrees with the number of theused IDs. When they agree (YES in step S2-2), the processor 22 allocates(n+1) to the object as a temporary ID, and ends the process. It shouldbe noted that, in this case, the processor 22 stores, in the main memory23, the allocated temporary ID (n+1) as the ID having the largest numberamong the used IDs, and updates the number of the used IDs. When they donot agree (NO in step S2-2), the processor 22 successively searches thefree IDs in ascending order, allocates the first found free ID as thetemporary ID of the object in step S2-4, and ends the process. Inaddition, the allocated temporary ID is displayed in the ID display part61 of the property setting window 50.

Then, in step S1-5, it is determined whether or not an object name isinput. When the user inputs an object name into the item name input box60 of the current item setting part 51 (YES in step S1-5), the processor22 registers the allocated temporary ID to the object storing part 35 asan original ID in step S1-6. At this moment, the processor 22 updatesthe used ID storing part 36 with the number of the used IDs stored inthe main memory 23 as the used ID information 360. When the object nameis not input to the item name input box 60 (No in step S1-5), theprocessor 2 makes display 26 prompt for the input of the item name, andstores the ID to the object storing part 35 when the item name is input.

Further, the properties can be registered with respect to the objects ofwhich the IDs are registered as mentioned above. That is, in step S1-7,the user inputs other items of the property setting window 50, and whenthe input is completed, the user clicks the update button 57 by thecursor control 28 or the like. In step S1-8, it is determined whetherthe update button 57 is clicked (the input is completed). When the inputis not completed (NO in step S1-8), the process returns to step S1-7.When the update button 57 is clicked (YES in step S1-8), the processor22 records the properties to the main memory 23 in step S1-9. It shouldbe noted that the processor 22 carries out this property registrationprocess according to the property registration program.

Additionally, in step S1-10, it is determined whether or not a saveinstruction is given. When the user gives the save instruction of theobject information 350 by the keyboard 27 or the like (YES in stepS1-10), the processor 22 saves the worksheets of the spreadsheetsoftware and the object information 350 in the external storage device25 in step S1-11. When the save instruction is not given (NO in stepS1-10), the processor 22 waits until the save instruction is given.

Furthermore, update registration of the properties can be performed withrespect to the objects registered as mentioned above. In this case, theproperty setting window 50 is displayed with respect to the registeredobjects, and the property update registration is performed on theobjects according to steps S1-7 through S1-10.

Next, a description will be given of a process of correlating theobject, which is registered as mentioned above, with another object, byreferring to a flow chart in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step S3-1, the user selects one object by thecursor control 28 on the worksheet of the tree system diagram 40displayed on the display 26, and clicks a tree creation button 48. Then,successively, the user selects another object by the cursor control 28on the worksheet of the tree system diagram 40, and carries out aselection complete operation (for example, double-clicking by the mouse)in step S3-2. In step S3-3, the processor 22 determines whether or notthe IDs of the two objects that are selected by the above-describedoperation agree.

When the IDs of the two objects agree (NO in step S3-3), the processor22 causes the display 26 to display an error message and ends theprocess. On the other hand, when the IDs of the two objects do not agree(YES in step S3-3), in step S3-4, the processor 22 determines, withrespect to the two objects, whether the difference between the twoobjects is “−1” (one hierarchy higher) or “+1” (one hierarchy lower).When the difference of the two objects corresponds to neither (NO instep S3-4), the processor 22 causes the display 26 to display an errormessage in step S3-6 and ends the process. When the difference is “−1”or “+1” (YES in step S3-4), in step S3-5, the processor 22 updates(adds, in this case) the information of the upper ID and the lower ID(the object information 350) of the properties (stored in the objectstoring part 35) of the selected objects. In other words, with respectto the selected objects, the input upper ID and lower ID are set andstored in the main memory 23 as the upper ID and lower ID of the objectinformation 350. Further, with respect to the object of the input upperID, the ID of the selected object is set and recorded in the main memory23 as the lower ID of the object information 350. In addition, withrespect to the input lower ID, the ID of the selected object is set andrecorded in the main memory 23 as the upper ID of the object information350. Then, when the save instruction is given, the processor 22 storesthe information relating to the correlation of the objects recorded inthe main memory 23 in the object storing part 35 of the external storagedevice 25.

Based on the above-described storing operation, the processor 22automatically creates the ruled line 45 that connects the two objects onthe worksheet displaying the tree system diagram 40.

<First Embodiment>

Next, a description will be given of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, by referring to FIGS. 9A through 12.

First, a description will be given of a case where the object is copiedand pasted (a copy/paste process), by referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10.FIG. 9A shows a worksheet displaying a tree system diagram 100 a beforethe copy/paste process. FIG. 9B shows a worksheet displaying a treesystem diagram 100 b after the copy/paste process. It should be notedthat the worksheet including the object to be copied is a firstworksheet. In addition, a worksheet including the pasted object is asecond worksheet. The first and second worksheets may be the sameworksheet or different worksheets. Here, the object to be copied ispasted on a worksheet (the worksheet shown in FIG. 9A) that includes theobject to be copied. Additionally, FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing theprocedure of the copy/paste process.

As shown in FIG. 9A, five objects are shown on the worksheet displayingthe tree system diagram 100 a before the process, and serial numbers“0001” through “0005” are allocated to the five objects as their IDs.Accordingly, before the process, the object storing part 35 stores fivesets of the object information 350 corresponding to the serial numbers“0001” through “0005”.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the copy/paste process, first, the object on theworksheet is selected and copied in step S4-1. That is, the user selectsthe object on the worksheet displaying the tree system diagram 100 a,and clicks a copy button 111 of the operation panel 46. Here, an object101 (“problem b:0005”) is selected, and the copy button 111 of theoperation panel 46 is clicked. In response to this, in step S4-2, theprocessor 22 causes the main memory 23 to store the ID of the selectedobject. Hence, “0005” is stored as the selected ID.

Next, the user gives a paste instruction of the selected object. Thatis, the user selects a pasting location on the worksheet and clicks apaste button 112 of the operation panel 46. Here, a location (cell) 102is selected as the pasting location. In step S4-3, it is determinedwhether or not the paste instruction is given. When the pasteinstruction of the selected object is not given (NO in step S4-3), theprocessor 22 waits (step S4-3 is repeated) until the paste instructionis given. On the other hand, when the paste instruction of the selectedobject is given (YES in step S4-3), the processor 22 carries out thefollowing process according to the object ID allocation program storedin the main memory 23 so as to allocate an ID to the object to bepasted. That is, in step S4-4, the processor 22 sequentially searchesfor a free ID in ascending order in the object storing part 35. That is,the processor 22 counts the IDs in the object storing part 35 until afree ID is found. Here, the smallest free ID is “0006”. In step S4-5,the processor 22 counts the number (n) of the objects in the objectstoring part 35. Here, five objects are counted.

Next, in step S4-6, the processor 22 determines whether or not thenumber (n+1) obtained by adding one to the number (n) of the countedobjects agrees with the numeric value of the searched free ID. When thenumber n+1 agrees with the numeric value of the free ID (YES in stepS4-6), the processor 22 allocates n+1 to the ID of the object to bepasted and causes the main memory 23 to store the ID in step S4-7. Inother words, the object to be pasted is allocated the ID obtained byincrementing by one the numeric value of the ID having the maximumnumeric value among the searched IDs in the object storing part 35.Here, since the number n+1 agrees with the numeric value of the free ID,“0006” corresponding to n+1 is allocated to the ID of the object.

On the other hand, when the number n+1 does not agree with the numericvalue of the free ID (NO in step S4-6), in step S4-8, the processor 22allocates the free ID to the ID of the object to be pasted and causesthe main memory 23 to store the ID.

Then, in step S4-9, the processor 22 pastes the object to which the IDis allocated as described above, and ends the process. That is, theprocessor 22 pastes a new object having the ID allocated as mentionedabove to the selected pasting location. It should be noted that thepasted object maintains the properties of the copied object. Therefore,the object name of the new object is the same as that of the copiedobject. Here, as shown in FIG. 9B, the tree system diagram 100 b isshown in which a new object 103 allocated with “0006” as the ID ispasted to the location 102. It should be noted that “problem b:0006”representing “object name:ID”, is shown in the object 103.

Next, a description will be given of a case where the object is cut andpasted (a cut/paste process), by referring to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12.

FIG. 11A shows a worksheet displaying a tree system diagram 120 a beforethe cut/paste process. FIG. 11B shows a worksheet displaying a treesystem diagram 120 b after the cut/paste process. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the cut/paste process.

In the cut/paste process, a plurality of objects can be processed bydesignating an area on the worksheet. In this case, the cut process canbe performed when, in a part of the tree system diagram 120 a includedin the designated area, the object in the highest hierarchy is notcorrelated with an upper object.

Hence, first, in the worksheet of FIG. 11A, the correlation between theobject in the highest hierarchy in the group of the object to be cut andthe upper object is cancelled (deleted). Hence, the setting of the upperID is deleted in the object information 350 of the object in the highesthierarchy in the group of the object to be cut. In addition, withrespect to the object information 350 of the object corresponding to theupper ID, among the settings of the lower IDs, the setting of the lowerID relating to the object in the highest hierarchy in the group of theobject to be cut is deleted.

Here, it is assumed that a group of three objects shown as “problema:0004”, “means 3:0008” and “means 4:0009” that are included in a cutarea 121 is cut. In this case, the correlation between an object 122(“problem a:0004”) that is in the highest hierarchy in the group of theobjects to be cut and an object 123 (“means 1:0002”) that is the upperobject is canceled. In other words, the ruled line 124 in the cells onthe left side of the object 122 is deleted.

As just described, with respect to the tree system diagram 120 a, aftercanceling the correlation between the object in the highest hierarchy inthe part that is cut and pasted and the upper object, the followingprocess is performed.

As shown in FIG. 12, first, in step S5-1, the user selects an objectgroup in the worksheet. Here, the cut area 121 is selected. Next, instep S5-2, the user clicks a cut button 113 of the operation panel 46.

In response to this, in step S5-3, the processor 22 determines whetheror not an upper object exists for the object that is in the highesthierarchy and is a cut target. In other words, the processor 22determines whether or not the upper ID is set in the object information350 of the object 122 “problem a:0004” that is in the highest hierarchyand is a cut target. Here, as described above, by deleting the ruledline 124, the setting of the upper ID in the object information 350 ofthe object 122 “problem a:0004” is deleted.

When an upper object exists for the object that is in the highesthierarchy and is the cut target (NO in step S5-3), the processor 22outputs an error message in step S5-7, and ends the process. On theother hand, when the upper object does not exist for the object that isin the highest hierarchy and is the cut target (YES in step S5-3), instep S5-4, the processor 22 moves the cut area 121 to another worksheet(not shown) according to the cut process program stored in the mainmemory 23. That is, the objects in the cut area 121 are cut from theworksheet displaying the tree system diagram 120 a, and the objects inthe cut area 121 are pasted to another worksheet. In addition, theobject information 350 corresponding to the three objects “problema:0004”, “means 3:0008” and “means 4:0009” is deleted from the objectstoring part 35 that corresponds to the worksheet displaying the treesystem diagram 120 a. Further, the object information 350 correspondingto the three objects is stored in the object information storing part 35that corresponds to the other worksheet.

Next, in step S5-5, the user designates a pasting location on theworksheet and clicks a paste button 114 of the operation panel 46. Here,a pasting place 125 is designated. In response to this, in step S5-6,the processor 22 copies the part (the objects in the cut area 121) thatis moved to another worksheet, pastes the part to the designatedlocation, and ends the process. That is, the copy/paste process isperformed. In other words, the processor 22 copies the objectscorresponding to the part moved to another worksheet, and pastes theobjects to the designated location by allocating new IDs to the objects.Here, the cut area 121 moved to another worksheet is pasted to thepasting location 125. With respect to the newly allocated IDs, since thecut area 121 is pasted to the same worksheet from which the cut area 121is cut, the IDs of the original objects, which are deleted when the cutarea 121 is moved to another worksheet, are the free IDs. Thus, the IDs(the free IDs) of the original objects are allocated as new IDs to thesame respective pasted objects. That is, as shown in FIG. 11B, the treesystem diagram 120 b where the three objects “problem a:0004”, “means3:0008” and “means 4:0009” are pasted is shown.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the followingeffects can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, when copying and pasting the object in the treesystem diagram 100 a, the new object is allocated an ID different fromthe ID of the object to be copied. Hence, it is possible to allocate aunique ID to a new object.

Additionally, in the first embodiment, in the copy/past process, whenthe number (n+1) of objects added with one agrees with the numeric valueof the free ID, the new object to be pasted is given the ID that isobtained by incrementing the free ID. Hence, it is possible to allocateserial numbers to the IDs.

Further, in the first embodiment, in the copy/paste process, when thefree ID is searched in an ascending order and the number (n+1) ofobjects does not agree with the numeric value of the free ID, the newobject to be pasted is given the searched (and located) free ID. Hence,when the object is deleted and the like, it is possible to allocate anID to the new object to be pasted by using the free ID.

In addition, in the first embodiment, in the copy/paste process, thepart (the cut area 121) including a plurality of objects in the treesystem diagram 120 a is moved to another worksheet, and the moved partis copied and pasted to the pasting location 125. Hence, it is possibleto paste the objects included in the cut area 121 while maintaining thecorrelation among the pasted objects.

Additionally, in the first embodiment, in the cut/paste process, whencopying and pasting the part moved to another worksheet, it is possibleto allocate an ID to the object to be pasted in a manner similar to thecopy/paste process. Hence, in the worksheet where the object is pasted,a unique ID is given to the object to be pasted.

Further, the first embodiment may be modified as follows.

In the first embodiment, in the copy/paste process, the copying andpasting are performed on one object. However, the copying and pastingmay be performed on a plurality of objects. In this case, the copyingand pasting may be performed such that the cells to be copied aredesignated, and the objects belonging to a designated area are copiedand pasted while maintaining the correlation among the objects in thedesignated area.

In addition, in the first embodiment, in the cut/paste process, thecutting and pasting are performed on the part including the plurality ofobjects in the tree system diagram 120 a. However, the same process(cutting and pasting) may be performed on only one object.

Additionally, in the first embodiment, in the copy/paste process, thecopied object is pasted on the same worksheet as the worksheetdisplaying the tree system diagram 100 a. However, the object may bepasted on a worksheet that is different from the worksheet from whichthe object is copied. Hence, it is possible to copy and reuse the objecton a different worksheet.

Further, in the first embodiment, in the cut/paste process, the cutobject is pasted on the worksheet that is the same as the worksheetdisplaying the tree system diagram 120 a. However, the object may bepasted on a worksheet that is different from the worksheet from whichthe object is cut. Hence, it is possible to cut and reuse the object onthe different worksheet.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in the cut/paste process, whenpasting the part moved to another worksheet, the cut object is pasted inthe manner similar to the copy/paste process. That is, when cutting theobject, the object information 350 of the object that is the cut targetis deleted, and when pasting the object, the new ID is allocated to theobject in the manner similar to the copy/paste process. However, in thecut/paste process in the same worksheet, the ID may remain unchanged. Inthis case, by storing the original ID, the original ID may be allocatedto the object when pasting the object in a case when the object ispasted to the worksheet that is the same as the worksheet from which theobject is cut. Hence, in the same worksheet, it is possible to performthe cut/paste process while maintaining the original ID.

<Second Embodiment>

Next, a description will be given of an extraction process according tothe second embodiment of the present invention, by referring to FIGS. 13through 17. In the extraction process, the object having the object nameincluding character information that matches an input search word isextracted, and the tree system diagram that selectively displays theobject and the correlated objects is output. The extraction process isperformed according to a partial object extracting program stored in themain memory 23.

FIG. 13 shows a worksheet displaying a tree system diagram 100. FIG. 14shows a search window 110 that is input with the search word andinstructs searching. FIG. 15 shows a partially extracted tree systemdiagram 130 representing search result of the search made by inputtingthe search word to the search window 110. FIG. 16 shows a table used insearching. FIG. 17 shows the procedure of the extraction process of apart of the objects.

In a state where the worksheet displaying the tree system diagram 100 asshown in FIG. 13 is displayed, when a tree extraction button 101 of theoperation panel 46 is clicked, the search window 110 as shown in FIG. 14is displayed. As shown in FIG. 14, the search window 110 includes asearch word input box 111A, an active cell designation button 112A, anexecute button 113A and a cancel button 114A. The active celldesignation button 112A is a button with which the user designates anactive cell.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the extraction process of a part of the objects,first, in step S6-1, a search word is input. That is, the user inputsthe search word in the search word input box 111A and clicks the executebutton 113A. Here, “problem b” is input to the search word input box111A and the execute button 113A is clicked.

Next, in step S6-2, the processor 22 determines whether or not the inputsearch word is included in registered data. In other words, theprocessor 22 determines whether or not an object including the word“problem b” exists by searching the object storing part 35. When thesearch word is not included in the registered data (NO in step S6-2),the processor 22 ends the process. When the search word is included inthe registered data (YES in step S6-2), in step S6-3, the processor 22extracts all registered data sets (n>0) that hit. That is, the processor22 extracts the object information set 350 including the word “problemb” in the object name as the character information. Here, objects 102and 103 are targets of the extraction that are displayed as “problemb1:0005” and “problem b2:0006”, respectively.

Next, in step S6-4, the processor 22 writes one of the extractedregistered data sets in the main memory 23. In other words, theprocessor 22 sets the object name, the ID, the column on the worksheetdisplaying the tree system diagram 100, and the like of the extractedobject information set 350 to an item field, an ID field, a columnfield, an upper ID field, a number of lower IDs field, a lower ID 1field, a lower ID 2 field and the like of a table 130 on anotherworksheet allocated to the main memory 23. Here, “problem b1” is set tothe item field, “5” is set to the ID field, “7” representing that theobject exists in the seventh column is set to the column field, “2” isset to the upper ID field, and “0” is set to the number of lower IDfield. Then, based on the values set to the item field, the ID field andthe column field, the processor 22 writes the object on a worksheetdisplaying the search result allocated to the main memory 23. Here, asshown in FIG. 15, the object “problem b1:0005” is written.

Next, in step S6-5, the processor 22 determines whether or not the lowerID is set to the property of the object. When the lower ID is set (YESin step S6-5), in step S6-6, the processor 22 writes the lower ID. Inother words, based on the lower ID set to the table 130, the processor22 searches the object information set 350 of the corresponding object.When searching the object of the lower ID, based on the column that isset to the column field of the table 130 and where the object exists,the search is made by specifying the column where the searching lowerobject exists. For example, the search of the lower object with respectto the object in the seventh column is made by targeting the objects setin the tenth column. Then, the processor 22 writes the searched objecton the worksheet as shown in FIG. 15 displaying the search result. Inaddition, when the lower ID is set in the object information set 350 ofthe searched object, the processor 22 further writes the lower ID. Inthis manner, the process of writing the lower ID is repeated until thelowest object in the tree system diagram 100. It should be noted that,here, as shown in FIG. 13, the object “problem b1:0005” does not havethe lower object (the lower ID is not set).

When the lower ID is not set, or when the writing process to the table130 is finished with respect to all of the set lower IDs (NO in stepS6-5), in step S6-7, the processor 22 determines whether or not theupper ID is set in the property of the object. When there is an upper ID(YES in step S6-7), in step S6-8, the processor 22 writes the set upperID. That is, based on the upper ID set in the table 130, the processor22 searches the object information set 350 of the corresponding object.When searching the object of the upper ID, based on the column that isset in the column field of the table 130 and where the object exists,the search is made by specifying the column where the searching upperobject exists. For example, the search of the upper object with respectto the object in the seventh column is made by targeting the objects setin the fourth column. Then, the processor 22 writes the searched objecton the worksheet as shown in FIG. 15 displaying the search result.

Here, as shown in FIG. 13, an object 104 “means 1:0002” is set to theobject “problem b1:0005” as the upper object (“0002” is set as the upperID). Hence, an object 133 “means 1:0002” is written in the worksheetshown in FIG. 15, and the correlation with an object 131 “problemb1:0005” is represented by a ruled line.

Then, when the upper ID is set in the object information set 350 of thesearched object, the processor 22 further writes the upper ID. Here, anobject 105 “problem 1:0001” is set to the object 104 “means 1:0002” asthe upper object (“0001” is set as the upper ID). Hence, an object 133“problem 1:0001” is written in the worksheet shown in FIG. 15, and thecorrelation with the object 132 “means 1:0002” is represented by a ruledline. In this manner, the process of writing the upper ID is repeateduntil the highest object of the tree system diagram 100.

Then, when the processor 22 has not finished the process of the “n” hitregistered data (NO in step S6-9), the process from step S6-4 throughstep S6-8 is performed on the next registered datum (set). Here, asimilar process is performed on the object 103 “problem b2:0006”. Then,when the process of the “n” registered data sets is finished (YES instep S6-9), the processor 22 ends the process.

By the above-described process, the worksheet displaying the partiallyextracted tree system diagram 130 as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can beobtained.

In the second embodiment, the object name is stored in the objectstoring part 35, and the ID corresponding to the object name includingthe character information that agrees with the input search word isextracted. Hence, the object can be extracted by searching the objectname according to the input search word.

Additionally, in the second embodiment, the object correlated with theobject that has the object name including the character information thatagrees with the input search word is extracted. Further, the process ofextracting the correlated object is repeated, and the tree systemdiagram is output. Hence, it is possible to make a partially extracteddisplay of the tree system diagram, with which it is possible to followthe objects correlated with the object having the object name thatincludes the input search word.

Further, in the second embodiment, column location information is storedin the object storing part 35, and when searching the objectcorresponding to the upper ID or the lower ID, the search is made byspecifying the column. Hence, it is possible to improve the efficiencyof the search.

In addition, the second embodiment may be modified as described below.

In the second embodiment, the search according to the input search wordis performed on the object name. However, the search may be performed onother attribute information. For example, when there is a caption or thelike as other attribute information, the search may be made on thecaption.

Also, in the second embodiment, the search of the object name accordingto the input search word is made by targeting the object names stored inthe object storing part 35. However, the search may be also made for theobject names on the worksheet as document information.

In addition, in the second embodiment, when there are the plurality ofobjects selected according to the input search word, and the same object(“problem 1:0001”) is extracted as the upper object correlated with theplurality of objects, the same object is plurally displayed as thesearch result. However, when the same object is extracted multipletimes, the same object extracted multiple times may be displayed onlyonce, by forming the tree system diagram that is output as the searchresult. Hence, it is possible to make partially extracted display of thetree system diagram more simply.

Additionally, in the second embodiment, no process is specially providedfor a case where there are the plurality of objects selected accordingto the input search word and the partially extracted displays of thetree system diagrams of the objects correlated with the selected objectsare the same. Thus, in the second embodiment, there is a case where thepartially extracted displays of the similar tree system diagrams areplurally displayed as the search result. However, when the objects thatmake the partially extracted displays of the similar tree systemdiagrams are plurally selected, a single display may be made as thesearch result. Hence, it is possible to make the partially extracteddisplay of the tree system diagram more simply.

Further, in the second embodiment, the partially extracted tree systemdiagram 130 representing the search result is displayed on the worksheetof the spreadsheet software. However, the partially extracted treesystem diagram 130 may be displayed by other software that does not havea table including rows and columns.

<Third Embodiment>

A description will be given of a link setting process according to thethird embodiment of the present invention, by referring to FIGS. 18through 21. Here, a link between the object and information (externalinformation) stored in the external database is set, and the externalinformation is accessed based on the link setting. In this embodiment,the object is linked to, as the external information, patent informationfiles registered in the database of the patent information searchsystem, other related files, and documents of a groupware system (forexample, Notes). It should be noted that the external database isconnected to the computer system 20 via the LAN 31.

A description will be given of the link setting between the object andeach of the patent information files, the other related files, and thedocuments of the groupware system. It should be noted that the processor22 carries out the process according to a link setting program.

First, the link setting between the object and the patent informationfiles is explained.

Here, in a patent information search window (not shown) displayed on thedisplay 26, the user inputs a search request of patent information andsearches for the patent information using the patent information searchsystem. Accordingly, the patent information is extracted as the searchresult, and based on the extracted patent information, the followingprocess is performed.

As shown in FIG. 18, in step S7-1, the processor 22 reads the patentinformation extracted as the search result into the main memory 23 as arelated patent item. At this moment, the processor 22 adds a patent IDto the related patent item. The patent ID is for identifying the relatedpatent item.

Then, in step S7-2, it is determined whether or not a patent informationfile exists with respect to the related patent item. When the patentinformation file exists with respect to the related patent item (YES instep S7-2), in step S7-3, the processor 22 generates a script file forcalling, from the file name of the patent information file. That is, theprocessor 22 generates the script file having a function for calling thepatent information file. On the other hand, when the patent informationfile does not exist with respect to the related patent item (NO in stepS7-2), the processor 22 does not generates the script file, and theprocess proceeds to step S7-4.

Next, in step S7-4, the user causes the display 26 to display theworksheet displaying the tree system diagram 40, selects the object onthe worksheet, and requests for displaying the properties of the object.Hence, the display 26 displays the property setting window 50 as shownin FIG. 4 with respect to the selected object. Here, the read relatedpatent item is displayed in the list selection part 89 such as “thepatent ID, the patent type, the gazette number, the title of theinvention” (for example, “001, [O], Japanese Laid-Open PatentApplication No. 05-XXXXXX, semiconductor board”).

Then, in step S7-5, it is determined whether or not the object has arelated patent item. When the object has the related patent item (YES instep S7-5), in step S7-6, the patent ID of the related patent item iscorrelated with the object and stored, and the process ends. In otherwords, the user selects the related patent item in the list selectionpart 89, and clicks the link setting button 92. In response to this, theprocessor 22 causes the object storing part 35 to store the patent ID ofthe related patent item that is selected as the related patentinformation of the selected object. Then, the patent ID of the relatedpatent item that is selected is displayed in the patent ID selectionpart 83. On the other hand, when the object does not have a relatedpatent item (NO in step S7-5), the processor 22 ends the process.

Next, a description will be given of the link setting between the objectand the related files other than the patent information files. Here,target files are, for example, files of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Projectand the like, PDF files, TIFF files, text files and the like.

As shown in FIG. 19, in step S8-1, the user causes the display 26 todisplay the worksheet displaying the tree system diagram 40, selects theobject on the worksheet, and requests for the display of the object.Accordingly, the property setting window 50 as shown in FIG. 4 isdisplayed on the display 26, with respect to the selected object. Next,the user designates the related file. In other words, the user clicksthe link setting button 92, causes the display 26 to display a relatedfile designation window (not shown) in which the file in the externaldatabase is designated, and designates the related file in the relatedfile designation window.

In step S8-2, it is determined whether or not the user designates therelated file. When the user designates the related file (YES in stepS8-2), in step S8-3, the processor 22 determines whether or not anextension of the related file that is designated agrees with registeredextensions. Here, the registered extensions refer to extensions of thetarget files. When the extension of the related file does not agree withthe registered extensions (NO in step S8-3), the processor 22 causes thedisplay 26 to display the disagreement and the user designates therelated file again. On the other hand, when the extension of the relatedfile agrees with the registered extensions (YES in step S8-3), in stepS8-4, the processor 22 causes the object storing part 35 to store thelink setting information of the related file. That is, the processor 22causes the object storing part 35 to store the link informationdesignating the related file that is selected, as the link settinginformation of the selected object. In addition, based on the linksetting information, the processor 22 causes the link file display part91 to display the link information of the selected file.

Next, in step S8-5, the processor 22 generates the script file forcalling, from the file name of the related file. More specifically,based on the file name of the related file, the processor 22 generatesthe script file having the function to call the related file. Further,when the user does not designate the related file (NO in step 8-2), theprocessor 22 ends the process.

Last, a description will be given of the link setting between the objectand the database and documents of the groupware system.

As shown in FIG. 20, first, in step S9-1, the database and documents ofthe groupware system are activated. That is, the user inputs anactivation instruction of the database and documents of the groupwaresystem, by the cursor control 28 or the like. Accordingly, the processor22 transmits, to the groupware server, a request for activating thedatabase and documents of the groupware system. Then, when the databaseand documents of the groupware system are activated, in step S9-2, theprocessor 22 reads information relating to the database and documents ofthe groupware system from the groupware server, and records theinformation in the main memory 23.

Next, in step S9-3, the user causes the display 26 to display theworksheet showing the tree system diagram 40, selects the object on theworksheet, and requests for displaying a link window (not shown) inwhich a link between the object and the database and documents of thegroupware system is set as the property of the object. Thus, the linkwindow is displayed on the display 26 with respect to the selectedobject. The link window includes a link document field, a managementinformation field, a link set button, a link cancel button, and anactivate button. The link document field displays designation of thedatabase and management number of the document with respect to thedocument that is already set with the link. The management informationfield displays the designation of the database and the management numberof the document with respect to the information that relates to thedatabase and documents, and is recorded in the main memory 23. Here,when the user clicks the link set button, in step S9-4, the processor 22determines whether or not the information of the database and documentdisplayed in the management information field is recorded in the mainmemory 23.

When the information of the database and document is recorded in themain memory 23 (YES in step S9-4), the link setting information of thedatabase and document are stored, and the process ends. Morespecifically, the processor 22 causes the object storing part 35 tostore, as the link setting information, the designation of the databaseand the management number of the document. Then, the designation of thedatabase and the management number of the document, which are set withthe link, are displayed in the link document field of the link window.On the other hand, when the information of the database and document isnot recorded in the main memory 23 (NO in step S9-4), the processor 22ends the process.

Next, a description will be given of access to external informationbased on the link setting. It should be noted that the processor 22reads the external information according to an external informationreading program.

In FIG. 21, in step S10-1, the user causes the displays 26 to displaythe worksheet showing the tree system diagram 40, selects the object onthe worksheet, and requests for displaying the properties of the object.Accordingly, the property setting window 50 as shown in FIG. 4 isdisplayed on the display 26 with respect to the selected object. In stepS7-2, it is determined whether or not the object is linked to externalinformation. When the object is not linked to external information (NOin step S10-2), the process ends. On the other hand, when the object islinked to external information (YES in step S10-2), in step S10-3, theuser determines whether or not the linked external information is thepatent information file, based on the display of the property settingwindow 50.

When the linked external information is the patent information file (YESin step S10-3), a script for calling the patent information file isactivated in step S10-4, the patent information file is called anddisplayed on the display 26, and the process ends. That is, in theproperty setting window 50, the user selects the patent ID in the patentID selection part 83 and clicks the patent search system start button87. In response to this, the processor 22 activates the script forcalling the patent information file selected according to the patent ID.Thus, the patent information file is called and displayed on the display26. On the other hand, when the linked external information is not thepatent information file (NO in step S10-3), in step S10-5, the processor22 determines whether or not the linked external information is adocument of the groupware system.

When the linked external information is not a document of the groupwaresystem (NO in step S10-5), the name of the related file is changed tothe script file name in step S10-6. Then, in step S10-7, the processor22 activates the script, calls and displays the related file on thedisplay 26, and ends the process. That is, in the property settingwindow 50, the user selects the related file in the link file displaypart 91, and clicks the link file activation button 94. In response tothis, the processor 22 changes the file name of the related file that isselected to the script file name for calling the related file. Then,based on the script file name, the processor 22 specifies the scriptfile for calling the related file and activates the script for callingthe related file. Hence, the related file is called and displayed on thedisplay 26.

On the other hand, when the linked external information is a document ofthe groupware system (YES in step S10-5), in step S10-8, a process forreading the document of the groupware system is started, by using thedesignation of the database and the management number as parameters.Then, the process ends by reading the document of the groupware systemand displaying the document on the display 26. In other words, in thelink window, the user selects the designation of the database and themanagement number of the document in the link document field, and clicksthe activate button. In response to this, the processor 22 starts aprocess for calling the document, by taking the designation of thedatabase and the management number of the document as parameters. Hence,the document of the groupware system is read and displayed on thedisplay 26.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the followingeffects can be obtained.

In the third embodiment, the ID of each object is correlated with theinformation stored in the external database. Hence, it is possible tocorrelate each object with the external database.

Also, in the third embodiment, with respect to the selected object, byoperating the property setting window 50, the information that is storedin the external database and is correlated with the ID of the selectedobject is read. Hence, it is possible to read the information that isstored in the external database and that corresponds to the selectedobject by a simple operation.

In addition, in the third embodiment, based on the patent informationsearched by the patent information search system, the script file forcalling the patent information file is generated, and the patentinformation file is called by activating the script. Hence, it ispossible to display the content stored in the patent information file bya simple operation.

Additionally, in the third embodiment, files of Word and the like areset as the related files when the extensions thereof are the registeredextensions. Therefore, it is possible to set only files of operativesoftware as the related files when only the extensions of the operativesoftware are registered with respect to the software of which operationsare checked.

Further, in the third embodiment, with respect to the related files ofWord and the like, the script file for calling is generated based on thefile name of the related file. Then, when the activation of the relatedfile is requested, by changing the file name of the related file to thefile name of the script file so as to specify the script file forcalling, the script is activated and the related file is called.Therefore, it is possible to display the content stored in the relatedfile by a simple operation.

Moreover, in the third embodiment, the designation of the database andthe management number of a document of a groupware system are stored,and the process for calling the document of the groupware system isstarted by taking the above-described designation and management numberas the parameters. Accordingly, it is possible to display the documentof the groupware system by a simple operation.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the external database is connectedto the computer system 20 via the LAN 31. Thus, it is possible to readthe information stored in the external database via the LAN 31.

Additionally, the third embodiment may be modified as described below.

In the third embodiment, as the information stored in the externaldatabase, the patent information files, the related files of Word andthe like, and the documents of the groupware system are used. However,the above-described files and documents do not constitute limitations ofthe information that can be used as the information stored in theexternal database. For example, a file managed by another specificmanagement system or the like may be used.

In addition, in the third embodiment, the external database is connectedto the computer system 20 via the LAN 31. However, the external databasemay be connected to the computer system 20 via a dedicated line, apublic line, the Internet, an intranet, or an extranet (wide-areanetwork) instead of or besides the LAN 31.

Also, in the third embodiment, the information stored in the externaldatabase that is referred to is information accessed via the computersystem 20 and the LAN 31. However, other information that is stored inthe external storage device 25 may be referred to.

Furthermore, in the first through third embodiments, the tree systemdiagrams (for example, tree system diagrams 40, 100 a, 100 b, 120 a and120 b) are displayed on the worksheets of the spreadsheet software.However, the tree system diagrams may be displayed by using anothersoftware system not having a table including rows and columns. In thiscase, instead of setting a property in the property setting window 50 bydesignating the cell, the property may be set similarly by selecting thelocation that displays the object. In addition, an arranging position ofthe object in the tree system diagram may be automatically set accordingto the correlation of the objects basing on the set upper ID and lowerID.

Moreover, in the first through third embodiments, the correlation of theproblem-achieving means is represented by the tree system diagram.However, this is not a limitation of the relationship among the objectsrepresented by the tree system diagram according to the presentinvention. Any target may be output as the tree system diagram accordingto the present invention, as long as the relationship among the objectscan be represented by using the tree system diagram. The tree systemdiagram according to the present invention may be applied to functiondevelopment, organization development, program processing, andorganization charts, for example.

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosedembodiments, and variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The present application is based on Japanese priority applications No.2001-282410 filed on Sep. 17, 2001, No. 2001-282411 filed on Sep. 17,2001, and No. 2001-282412 filed on Sep. 17, 2001, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. A method of using a computer for correlating a plurality of objectsto form a tree system diagram, comprising the steps of: storing anidentifier specific to each of the plurality of objects which objectsare written on a first worksheet of a tree system diagram; selecting bya user at least one object among the plurality of objects written on thefirst worksheet; pasting the at least one object among the plurality ofobjects written on the first worksheet to a second worksheet; changingthe identifier of the at least one object to be pasted to a secondidentifier from the stored identifier; correlating the plurality ofobjects by specifying a hierarchical order of the plurality of objectsusing identifiers thereof, wherein the stored identifier is leftundeleted and is used for a next select object even if the at least oneobject to which the identifier is specific is deleted; outputting thepasted at least one object in the second worksheet as a tree systemdiagram in which the pasted at least one object is correlated to theplurality of objects; and connecting the outputted at least one objectwith a ruled line, wherein the changing comprises the steps of: storingthe second identifier given to the at least one object on the secondworksheet before the at least one object is pasted, and giving anidentifier other than the second stored identifier to the at least oneobject pasted; and wherein the giving comprises the steps of: counting anumber of objects pasted to the second worksheet; counting a number ofstored identifiers; giving an identifier obtained by incrementing astored identifier if the number of objects counted agrees with thenumber of identifiers counted; and allocating a free identifier to anidentifier of the pasted at least one object if the number of objectscounted does not agree with the number of the identifiers counted.
 2. Acomputer-readable storage medium containing instructions for causing acomputer to correlate a plurality of objects to form a tree systemdiagram, by a method comprising: storing an identifier specific to eachof the plurality of objects which objects are written on a firstworksheet of a tree system diagram; selecting by a user at least oneobject among the plurality of objects written on the first worksheet;pasting the at least one object among the plurality of objects writtenon the first worksheet to a second worksheet; changing the identifier ofthe at least one object to be pasted to a second identifier from thestored identifier; correlating the plurality of objects by specifying ahierarchical order of the plurality of objects using identifiersthereof, wherein the stored identifier is left undeleted and is used fora next select object even if the at least one object to which theidentifier is specific is deleted; outputting the pasted at least oneobject in the second worksheet as a tree system diagram in which thepasted at least one object is correlated to the plurality of objects;and connecting the outputted at least one object with a ruled line,wherein the changing comprises the steps of: storing the secondidentifier given to the at least one object on the second worksheetbefore the at least one object is pasted, and giving an identifier otherthan the second stored identifier to the at least one object pasted; andwherein the giving comprises the steps of: counting a number of objectspasted to the second worksheet; counting a number of stored identifiers;giving an identifier obtained by incrementing a stored identifier if thenumber of objects counted agrees with the number of identifiers counted;and allocating a free identifier to an identifier of the pasted at leastone object if the number of objects counted does not agree with thenumber of the identifiers counted.
 3. A computer-readable storage mediumcontaining instructions for causing a computer to correlate a pluralityof objects to form a tree system diagram, by a method comprising:storing an identifier specific to each of the plurality of objects arewritten on a first worksheet of a tree system diagram; selecting by auser at least one object among the plurality of objects written on thefirst worksheet; pasting the at least one object among the plurality ofobjects written on the first worksheet to a second worksheet; changingthe identifier of the at least one object to be pasted to a secondidentifier from the stored identifier; correlating the plurality ofobjects by specifying a hierarchical order of the plurality of objectsusing identifiers thereof, wherein the stored identifier is leftundeleted and is used for a next select object even if the at least oneobject to which the identifier is specific is deleted; outputting thepasted at least one object in the second worksheet as a tree systemdiagram in which the pasted at least one object is correlated to theplurality of objects; and connecting the outputted at least one objectwith a ruled line, wherein the changing comprises the steps of: givingan identifier other than the second stored identifier to the at leastone object pasted; and wherein the giving comprises the steps of:counting a number of objects pasted to the second worksheet; counting anumber of stored identifiers; giving an identifier obtained byincrementing a stored identifier if the number of objects counted agreeswith the number of identifiers counted; and allocating a free identifierto an identifier of the pasted at least one object if the number ofobjects counted does not agree with the number of the identifierscounted.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the correlatingcomprises: enabling the at least one object and an other object to beselected; comparing the identification of the at least one object andidentification of the other object; comparing the hierarchy of theselected at least one object with hierarchy of the selected otherobject; and if the identification of the at least one object andidentification of the other object do not agree and the hierarchy of theselected at least one object differs from the hierarchy of the selectedother object, correlating the at least one object with the other objectby updating properties thereof.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 4,comprising: displaying an error message if the identification of the atleast one object and identification of the other object do not agree andthe hierarchy of the selected object differs from the hierarchy of theselected other object.